The addition of negative numbers, apparently from Stillfried's series suggests these were printed and sold by Baron von Stillfried in the later 1870s or 1880s. A short time after they were taken these portraits were withdrawn from the Japanese market as it was considered inappropriate to sell photographs of the Emperor and Empress. They were subsequently distributed apparently by the Austrian, Stillfried, only to foreigners.

Prince Mutsuhito, Meiji Emperor, ruled from 1867 until 1912. His reign spanned a period of intense modernization within Japan and greatly increased communication between his country and the western world. He was responsible for abolishing the feudal system, transferring the capital to Tokyo and introducing Western influences in law, education, arts and business.